A-frame construction



April 13, 1965 B. M. JAcoB 3,l77,6l8

B. M. JACOB April 13, 1965 3 Sheets-Shee't 2 Filed June 4, 1962 FIG.3

ATTORNEYS April 13, 1965 B. M. JAcoB A-FRAME CONSTRUCTION 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed June 4, 1962 INVENTOR BART M. JACOB ATTORNEYS *the construction process at the site.

tion are both vertical and horizontal.

tion between the rafters and the base platform, the rafters United States Patent O 3,177,618 A-FRAME CNSTRUCTHON Bart M. Jacob, West Dover, Vt., assignor, by mesne assignments, to Bart M. Jacob, West Dover, Vt. Filed June 4, 1962, Ser. No. 199,693 6 Claims. (Cl. 50-54) This invention relates in general to building construction and more particularly to the construction of an A-frame house from prefabricated panels.

- There are several important factors involved in the construction of a building. The building itself must be structurally and mechanically strong, While containing a Prefabrication of portions of the buildings to be constructed at off-site locations permits some of the advantages of mass production to be utilized in building construction. Thus, portions of similar buildings, which are to be located at diverse geographical points, may be fabricated at a single location, allowing production of a "run of identical parts which are to be used in the different buildings.

In addition, the farther this prefabrication and preassembly'can be carried, the simpler the construction process at the site becomes and personnel involved in the assembly construction process need not have the diversity of skills formerly required when the entire construction was carried out at the site. In this prefabrication and preassembly process, the larger the portion of the building which may be prefabricated, in general the easier is I Additionally, the process is rendered more efficient if the building to be I constructed can be formed of a plurality of basic modules such that larger buildings involve, not a change in the v'prefabricated elements, but merely -a greater number of in an unbroken line to the roof peak thereby forming side'walls and roof With the two remaining walls formking the gable end. The usual method of construction for such a building is to erect upon a base platform a frame consisting of rafters which are attached at the upper end to a ridge pole and supported at the base end upon the platform. This framework is then sheathed in conventional fashion.

fThe' forces upon the structural members in this situa- Thus, at the juncmust be not only supported vertically butalso must be prevented from horizontal outward movement. One method of providing this horizontal restriction is the use of a collar beam which ties opposed rafters on either Lside of the ridge pole"y to one another, thus giving the structure, viewed from the end, the form of the letter A ing nailsi angularlywthrough the sides of the rafters close "to the platform so that they penetrate into the platform.

3,l7?,bl Patented Apr. 13, 1965 ICC At the ridge pole, the horizontal forces on one rafter are counterbaianced by the opposed horizontal forces from the opposite rafter while the vertical forces are counteracted in part by either angular nailing or nailing through the ridge pole into the butt end of the rafter on the opposed side of the ridge pole. The resulting structure is sound and capable of withstanding the natural elements.

However, its construction requires skilled craftsmen and is time consuming since the pieces must be cut and secured in place one by one.

Accordingly, the primary object of this invention is to provide an A-frame building formed of a plurality of liite modules which can be erected at the site in a matter of hours using only a few workers.

A more specific object is to provide a building construction for an A-frame unit employing prefabricated panels which include the structural beams as an integral part thereof and in which the ends of the structural beams are precut in such a fashion as to form an interlocking mechanical joint when the panels are assembled to form the structure.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a building construction for A-frame buildings employing prefabricated panels which include the structural beams, the sheathing, and insulating in an integral unit.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a building construction for A-frame buildings employing prefabricated panels as a module unit whereby the size of a building may be extended by increasing the number of panels employed.

Other objects and advantages will become apparent Irom the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an A-frarne house constructed in accordance with the principles of this invention;

FlG. 2 is a perspective view of a partially assembled A-frame house embodying the principles of this invention, portions of the house being cut away to show details of its interlocking joints and panelled construction;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 3-3 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 4-12 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 5--5 of FlG. 2; and

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a floor panel formedin acccrdance with the principles of this invention, a portion of the panel being cut-away to show its internal construction.

With reference now to FIGS. l and 2, the A-frarne house iii embodying the present invention is shown mounted on a cinder block foundation 12. However, the house does not require any special form of foundation but may be constructed on almost any kind of conventional support, whether of the enclosed Wall type or open post type. The A-frame house of this invention is formed by the assembly of two types of prefabricated panels; floor panels 14:*- and roof panels to. The panels may be directly assembled to form the structure without the necessity of erecting an independent frame. Both the floor panels and roof panels are similarly constructed, the chief differences lying in the provision of means at the ridge end of the roof panels for forming an interlocking outer sheathing. Each of the panels includes sheathing formed of plywood, structural members formed from Wooden beams, and insulation such as exploded semirigid polystyrene or polyurethane foam or fiberglass bats.

The detailed construction of each of these panels is most clearly seen from the views of FIG. 2 and FIG. 6. The floor panels are shown to include a basic ladder-like structure comprising elongated side members 20 and V'mately 60 :with its "underneath edge.

cuts taken together with the extension of Vthe beams beshorter cross membersi 21. Preferably, the ladder-like structure is madeV of 2 x 4's. Firmly attached to each of sar/7,613 v r-oof panels would provide 'a structure having a base of the side members 20 are theV main structural beams 22 and 23 of the panels. Preferably, these beams are formed from 2 x 8s Each panel also includes Vseparate layers v'of sheathing-25 and 27 attached to the upperand lower I side of the ladder-like structure. Preferably, the sheathing is plywood, typically with afthickness'of 3/8 inch. The upper sheathing is extended over the flupperedges, i.e., flush with the sides, of the main beams 22 and 23.

- Howeven bottom sheathing 27 is inset with respect to the bottom edges of thebeams 22 and 23, extending only to the inner sides thereof as shown in fFIG. 3. Thespaces in the ladder-like structure enelo'sed betweenthe sh'eathing members 25 VVand 27 are filled with an insulating material 30,'preferably av plastic foam 30 suchas exploded poly-l styrene or polyurethane.

The structural beams'22 and 23'are generally coex- With Vreference now to FIG. 2, the manner in which these panels 14 and 16 are assembled to form an A-frame structure is illustrated. It should be understood that each floor panel issupported uponthe foundation and then the two roof panels 'forming the leftand right-hand-side areraised above it. At the junction between each two roof panels on the same side of theV roof peak, the adjacent 2 x 8 beam's together-form a rafter. These beams,

which arethe right-hand bearnV 23 of onerpanel and the left-hand 'beam 22 of the Vnext panel; are different in length. The lleft-hand beam 22 extends beyond the core' i* at .the upper end while theright-hand beam23 falls short tensive With the side 2 x 4 members 20. However, each of theV beams 22 and 23 extends at one end beyond the side members 20 and at the opposite end does not extend as far as the 2 x 4 elements 2%. This configuration-can be most clearly seen in FIGS. 4 and 6.1Each beam 22 vexi Valong their length, either by nals'or bolts (not'shown).

tends beyondV its abutting side member element 20 at thei i same end at which the other'beam 23v falls short of the length of its abuttingV side member'L 29, bearns 22 and 23 is cut atfan angle measuring approxi- V the angular' cut on the carrying beams and in the length 'ofthecorefa V v On the floor panels the upper sheathing25 extends at either endonlyfas far as the innery core of thepanelandV terminates at the outer edge vof the end 2 x 4 cross member 21. In addition, this sheathin'g' isv notched at each ing structuralbeams22 and 23V arel shorter than theiry abutting 2r X 4 members 20, the upper sheathing 25 is Each end of These .angular i 'In addition, the extended portions of thebeams 22 from the left-hand and right-hand panel members forming the A are fastened together by nails 36 (or bolts) at the point where they extend'beyond the-core Vand overlap one an- 'other (FIG'. 4). Their-joint thus, formed 'and illustrated at A provides, then, vertical support-for both leftvand right-hand panels by means of the beamsl 23buttng up i V against the underside of the beams 22; and since the joint of the upper corners. On those corners where the carrycut away permitting freeaccess from above to the slanted 4 end face of the carrying beams.

On thertwo corners where the carrying beam1members'22 and 23 extend be- I yond the end 2 X 4 cross members21, the upper sheathin'g 25 iscut back to expose a vsmall portion of the flat upper -edge of these beams. As willflbe described below, these v notches in the upper sheathing 25 allow the ends of-thev carrying -beams22 and'23 of the roof panel to be at-v tached'securely to-the carryingbeams 22 and 23 of the i i' f -In the roofypa'nels,the upper sheathing- Vnot only.

does-not have these notches, but also Vis extended at the upper end beyond the 2 x 4 cross member 21 to within 3A of an inch of theV upper end of the-'2 Vx 8 carry-ing beam is aV double joint, involving the ends of'two -beams 22'ancl two beams-'23, horizontal tying in both leftand right- Vhand directions is provided. 1

' A similar. double' interlocking joint is provided at the platform end of Vthe roof where the roof panelsfjoin the floor panels. Thus, it will be noted that the b'eams 23 of the roof panels extend below the top of the floor panels while the beams 22 of the roof panels are cutoif short of the end ofl the core of the roof panels in a 'positionl to rest on the top of the extendedfloor Vpanel'lbeam'zz..v The beams23 of the roof panels fit along the slantedl end face of theshort end ofthe floor p'anel and overlap the outside face of the yextended portion oftheV floor beam 22Vof the nextt'adjoining floor panel. vThese overlapping portions ting'of floor beam 22 against .roof beam 23 and"(b) out:- vwardhorizontal movementis prevented by'the direct tying'of-roof panel beams 23 to the floor Vpanel beams 22 Vof the'next adjoining panel.

V 4When therequisite numberloffpanels for the size-of the I structure has been y.assernbled in fthe mannen-described above ona suitableffoundation, the only'remaining construction workrequired onf site is'tthefinish vdetails at-the bottom'edge ofV the jro'ojf panelsfand atfthe lower portion of the jjllnction* Ibetweenl Vthe floor andv Lroof panels,l the erection off suitable .gable ends; and provi'sion' of ysuitable roofing materialover'ltlieV roof panel sheathing. The conventional method forfihishingy off I' thejoint between: the

and the roof pant-18116 is Vthat,'-in.theV case of 'theroof panels, the angularcut'is at an angle of Vapproximately upper edge :of the 2 x 8 beammembers22 .I Typica1:dimensions forV lthesefpanelsrare a width of With the and 23. V

4' with'a length'of 24'. It will thusjbe noted that assembly'of six roof panelsV with three floor' panels forms a4 i structure having ja' base dimension of 12' x 24', while af structure Vinvolving twelvek floor4 panels and ftwenty-'four roof panel and'the .floor .panel isbestjillustrated infFIG.

5.1- The crevice between the,v endfof the floor panel-14 and thelower side of thefroofp'anel 16,' is'filled with a fiberglass insulati'on 50whichis held in'plac'ze*withV a triinboard 51 along thejlength lof. each side;

The structure then: is'basically:formed offtwo very similar types iof panels; floor; panels and :roof i panels.v

These two Vbasicinodules,1nay be fablricatedat a productionflocation and transported to .the site of construction.

Each panel contains sheathing, structural beams and insulation, and, upon erection, provides a structure which has interior and exterior sheathing, structural framing members and complete insulation. The double interlocking joint construction of the carrying beam portion of the panels provides for complete mechanical strength against both horizontal and vertical forces, and the only operation (except for the gable ends) required to be performed in the assembly of this structure is the fastenng of the panels to one another.

Having described the invention, various modifications and improvements will now occur to those skilled in this art, and the invention disclosed herein should be construed as limited only by the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

I claim:

1. An A-frame building formed of a group of modules comprising, a pair of floor modules, a first pair of roof modules and a second pair of roof modules, each of said modules including first and second beams and a core disposed between and attached to said first and second beams forming a panel having first and second ends, each of said beams having corresponding first ends located on said panel first end and second ends located on said panel second end said first beam having itsy first end projecting beyond the first end of the second beam and said second beam having its second end projecting beyond the second end of said first beam, said modules being disposed in a triangular arrangement such that at each junction between four modules, the respective module beams form an interlocking joint wherein the first end of the first beam of each module is supported upon the first end of the second beam of another module and wherein the beams of each module are Secured to the beams of one other module, said floor module beams being connected to the second ends of said roof module beams.

2. A building in accordance with clairn l wherein said core includes a pair of parallel sheathing members and insulating material enclosed between said pair of sheathing members.

3. A building in accordance with claim 1 wherein said beam ends are beveled such that a smooth joint is formed when said beams are interconnected at a 60 angle.

4. An A-frame building having a floor and a roof supported by and Secured to said floor, said floor and roof each being formed of a plurality of substantially identical modules wherein each module includes first and second beams and a core disposed between and attached to said first and second beams, said core having first and second ends, said beams having corresponding first and second ends, said first beam having its first end projected beyond the first end of the second beam and said second beam having its second end projected beyond the second end of said first beam and wherein said roof comprises two groups of modules having the first ends of their beams engaging and supporting each other such that the first end of the first beam of each module in each group extends past and is supported by the first end of the second beam of a module in the opposite group and is secured to the first end of the first beam of a module in the other group, and Wherein said groups of roof modules have the second ends of their beams attached to opposite ends of said floor modules.

5. A building in accordance with claim 4 wherein said core includes a pair of parallel sheathing members and insulating material enclosed between said pair of sheathing members.

Y6. A building in accordance with claim 4 wherein said beam ends are beveled such that a Smooth joint is formed when said beams are interconnected at a angle.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 308,833 12/84 Docker 20-2 351,647 10/86 Neal 94-13 XR 2,023,8l4 12/35 Lindsey 20-2 XR 2,803,856 8/57 Kofahl 20-2 2,872,71O 2/59 Cox 20-2 OTHER REFERENCES American Builder, January 1944, p. 66.

HENRY C. SUTHERLAND, Primary Examner.

JACOB L. NACKENOFF, Examner. 

1. AN A-FRAME BUILDING FORMED OF A GROUP OF MODULES COMPRISING, A PAIR OF FLOOR MODULES, A FIRST PAIR OF ROOF MODULES AND A SECOND PAIR OF ROOF MODULES, EACH OF SAID MODULES INCLUDING FIRST AND SECOND BEAMS AND A CORE DISPOSED BETWEEN AND ATTACHED TO SAID FIRST AND SECOND BEAMS FORMING A PANEL HAVING FIRST AND SECOND ENDS, EACH OF SAID BEAMS HAVING CORRESPONDING FIRST ENDS LOCATED ON SAID PANEL FIRST END AND SECOND ENDS LOCATED ON SAID PANEL SECOND END SAID FIRST BEAM HAVING ITS FIRST END PROJECTING BEYOND THE FIRST END OF THE SECOND BEAM AND SAID SECOND BEAM HAVING ITS SECOND END PROJECTING BEYOND THE SECOND END OF SAID FIRST BEAM, SAID MODULES BEING DISPOSED IN A TRIANGULAR ARRANGEMENT SUCH THAT AT EACH JUNCTION BETWEEN FOUR MODULES, THE RESPECTIVE MODULE BEAMS FORM AN INTERLOCKING JOINT WHEREIN THE FIRST END OF THE FIRST BEAM OF EACH MODULE IS SUPPORTED UPON THE FIRST END OF THE SECOND BEAM OF ANOTHER MODULE AND WHEREIN THE BEAMS OF EACH MODULE ARE SECURED TO THE BEAMS OF ONE OTHER MODULE, SAID FLOOR MODULE BEAMS BEING CONNECTED TO THE SECOND ENDS OF SAID ROOF MODULE BEAMS. 